To employ apprentices you need to be approved as a national apprenticeship employer. You can get the ball rolling by completing an?online Expression of Interest [here](#/employer/register). As an apprenticeship employer you need to demonstrate that you can provide quality, relevant on-the-job apprentice training in a particular programme/industry area. The approval process can be completed online. The final stage includes a site visit to your premises from a SOLAS representative. Once you’ve been approved as an employer, you can recruit apprentices.

There is an [Apprenticeship Code of Practice](/Documents/ApprenticeshipCodeOfPractice.pdf) which employers commit to and which sets out your obligations of you as an apprentice employer. You are responsible for on-the-job training of apprentices; and each programme includes guidelines on the content and structure of this training.

In general, apprentices’ salary is a matter for each employer. Guidelines are available in some industries to assist employers in this regard. For some apprenticeships, there are established pay rates for apprentices at different stages of their apprenticeship. Training allowances in lieu of salary are also paid by the State for some apprenticeships. To find out more, check out the detailed information on each [apprenticeship programme](https://apprenticeship.ie/employers/potential-employers).

There is no limit on the number of apprentices you can employ. However, you will need to be able to demonstrate that you can provide high-quality on-the-job training for these apprentices.

There is no restriction on the types of apprenticeship programmes you can use within your business. You will however need to demonstrate that you can provide high-quality training in the designated areas.

Unfortunately not. All apprenticeship programmes are currently full-time in duration.

There are two main types of supports currently available for employers, the Employer Grant and the Gender Bursary. Some information on these is set out below: **Employer Grant** The Employer Grant was announced by Government as part of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025. The grant provides financial support from the State to apprenticeship employers who employ apprentices on one of the 40 apprenticeships which have been established since 2016 and which do not attract payment of off-the-job training allowances. Apprenticeship employers are eligible to receive a €2,000 grant annually for each registered apprentice, effective from 01 January 2022. This includes apprentices who were registered 2019-2021 and who continue in employment as of 01 January 2022. [More details & how to apply](https://apprenticeship.ie/news-events/news/apprenticeship-employer-grant-2022) **Gender Bursary **The gender-based bursary is available to employers who employ apprentices on any national apprenticeship programme with greater than 80% representation of a single gender. The new bursary is being implemented with effect from 01 January 2022 and eligible employers will receive a €2,666 bursary for each registered apprentice from the minority gender. It covers all new apprentice registrations from that date on eligible national apprenticeship programmes. [More details & how to apply](https://apprenticeship.ie/news-events/news/apprenticeship-gender-based-bursary)

Where can I get further information? We hope that this website answers many of your questions. However, you may wish to contact your local Education and Training Board for more information. [Find your local training provider.](https://www.apprenticeship.ie/more/your-local-provider)